As a veteran cigar smoker, it’s not often that you come across a cigar presented in a shape that you’ve never seen before. And if you do encounter such a thing, your first thought is usually that you either accidentally sat on the cigar or (most likely) one of your annoying kids was playing around in your humidor again, squeezing your stogies with their grubby little hands. But before you angrily grab your belt and jump right to the punishment phase, make sure it’s not a Diamond Crown Julius Caesar The Troublemaker* that you’re looking at. Because this particular premium cigar is meant to look different. Drew Newman, owner of J.C. Newman, had this to say in a recent press release:
“One of my longtime mentors is Rich Dolak, the vice president of operations at both J.C. Newman and Arturo Fuente. Since I was a teenager, I’ve sat in Rich’s office and listened to him teach me about the cigar business. Above Rich’s desk hangs a vintage poster with a unique cigar shape. Three years ago, I asked him, ‘Why can’t we roll a cigar like that?’”
I should mention that I’ve never actually utilized corporal punishment when disciplining my children, let alone for squeezing my cigars. Perhaps that’s because I’m a levelheaded parent with the patience of a saint. Or maybe it’s due to the fact that my kids have never dared to squeeze my beloved cigars. And, if they’re as smart as they think they are, they’ll keep it that way…
THE CIGAR – DIAMOND CROWN JULIUS CAESAR THE TROUBLEMAKER by J.C. NEWMAN
Size: 5 3/4 x 52
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Undisclosed
Price: $17.00 (while these samples were submitted for review by our sponsor J.C. Newman, you can head on over to Famous Smoke Shop right now and use promo code TNCC20 to get $20 off your purchase of $100 or more!)
There are strong aromas of hay, dry grass, and other rodeo stuff found after sliding The Troublemaker out of its cellophane sleeve. When sniffing the foot of the cigar directly, there’s a faint sweetness detected amid an even stronger hay presence. The unique shape of the cigar is almost so subtle that the untrained eye might not notice it as being unusual. Fortunately, my eyes are indeed well-trained. I’ve been told that I have the best eyes in cigar media, the best!** Well, that and I read the press release detailing The Troublemaker’s unique journey to production before starting this review.
I still would like to think that my highly-trained, expert-level-cigar-reviewing eyes would have noticed that this cigar looks slightly different than any other stogie I’ve smoked before. I’m almost positive that I would have noticed. I mean, I probably would have. Who knows really… The Ecuadorian wrapper leaf is an almost reddish shade of medium brown and it has a velvet texture to it with some minimal surface oils. There are no soft spots detected along the body.
I can’t think of a better cigar to use a punch on, given the distinctively small, flat cap of The Troublemaker. I know I’ve asked this question before, but is anyone else out there punching their cigars as opposed to utilizing a cutter? And don’t get me started on those v-cut weirdos…
The cold draw features a touch of mint and a much more clearly defined sensation of freshly cut lumber. Upon ignition, bold pepper spice floods through the retrohale. It’s the type of crisp, black pepper zing that reminds you that you’re still alive. Down below, the draw features a woodsy oak profile here early on that’s backed by a minimal amount of graphite. As the pepper kick begins to gradually soften, a medium-bodied French roast coffee flavor begins to develop underneath the oak.
The Troublemaker is drawing like a dream and construction overall is very good. The burn line is growing a tad wavy but it’s nothing I’m too concerned about at this point. While core flavors of oak, coffee grounds, and black pepper might not sound as sexy as “notes of hibiscus flowers, brown mustard, and hot dog water”, this particular presentation of these rather basic flavors is working for me. I wish I wasn’t reviewing The Troublemaker because I’d really like to pair it with either a few pints of Guinness or a glass of scotch featuring a heavy vanilla presence. Or barrel-aged rakija! I think any of those pairings would be bonkers. But I’m a professional, dammit, so warm tap water for me it shall be… and apparently my body is so unaccustomed to drinking plain water that it’s causing me to talk like a leprechaun. That’s new.
The Troublemaker really opens up around the fifty yard line, producing more smoke than before and the flavor profile widens as well. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that as I’m lamenting my lack of a vanilla-influenced adult beverage, a vanilla note kicks down the door and immediately overshadows the now lowkey black pepper through the nose. It reminds me of moist yellow cake which can often have that slightly sweet, vanilla component to it. The French roast coffee has now overtaken the oak as the draw’s primary flavor.
The Troublemaker is performing the best it ever has here in the final third. Smoke production increased dramatically once the band was removed and the flavors are pouring in loud and clear. The vanilla/yellow cake and graphite combination via the retro is working extremely well with the coffee-forward draw. It’s worth mentioning that The Troublemaker’s ash is as solid and strong as they come. You’ll have to thump it because it’s not dropping on its own volition.
THE NUB
TNCC FINAL SCORE = 91
The Diamond Crown Julius Caesar The Troublemaker is a well constructed cigar featuring nice transitions and a highly enjoyable flavor profile over the course of 88 minutes. As is mentioned above, once the band is removed The Troublemaker really shows you what it’s made of in the final third.
* The Diamond Crown Julius Caesar The Troublemaker has one of the longest, more awkward names that I can remember dealing with while reviewing these suckers over the last 10 years. I kept wanting to add a few commas or put parentheses around “The Troublemaker” to bring some calm and order to the situation but in the end I just went with it.
** Nobody ever told me that.
